Award Medal Display Rack

ABSTRACT

An award medal display rack comprised of a top shelf hoard and back viewing board. The top shelf board displays, holds, and organizes multiple pin-style award medals, trophies, plaques and additional accolades. The top shelf board utilizes predetermined unique recessions, grooves, and/or cavities to secure and display pin-style award medals while inside  2⅝″×3⅝ ″ medal cases: The top hoard also doubles as a shelf for additional achievements. The back viewing board holds, organizes, and displays multiple ribbon-style lanyard award medals by means of suspension. The back viewing board utilizes adjacent pegs that protrude horizontally from the face of the display board for the suspension of ribbon lanyard medals. The pegs can be arranged in various fashions to accommodate an abundance of ribbon lanyard style awards. The present invention is wall-mountable and can be made in various sizes and fashions to house and display a versatile quantity of awards.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. PATENT APPLICATION

Prior Application: Provisional

Application No.: 61/459396

Filing Date: Dec. 13, 2010

Name of Applicant: Brian Anthony Florek, Matawan, N.J.

Confirmation No.: 1056

Title of Invention: Medal Awards Rack

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a clear demand in the market for a simple, all in one, awardmedal display rack. The disadvantages of the current inventions on themarket arc clear; none are a practical means for an accomplishedrecipient of many lanyard ribbon-style and pin-style award medals todisplay the extent of their awards. That is, the current inventions aredesigned for the display of only a single or a few prize medals; theyonly focus on the display of either lanyard ribbon-style or pin-stylemedals; and many require meticulous construction and attachment of thedisplay unit in order to organize, attach, or replace the medals ondisplay.

Award medals are given out as accolades in a plethora of societalactivities. To name just a few, these awards are often found at alllevels of school sporting and academic competitions, karate and martialartists shows, gymnastics and dance competitions, and a countless listof other activities. It is not uncommon for someone, such as a collegeathlete, to accumulate 50-plus medals over their course of involvementin a sport over the years. While some of the prior art supports thedisplay of several medals, none are designed to offer a simple,practical, and compact means to display a large quantity of them whilealso accommodating both lanyard style and pin-style award medals fordisplay. The present invention, through the utilization of a staggeredpeg system and accompanying uniquely designed groove(s), offer apractical means to allow the successful recipient the ability to proudlydisplay the full extent of awards he has received. Prior artwork wouldnot allow such an extensive display; consequently requiring therecipient to either narrow his display collection to a single medal, aselect few medals, and/or a single type of award medal.

Afore mentioned reasons present the departure of this invention fromconventional medal display units. However, the primary distinguishingfeature of the present invention's design and function is the novel wayin which it displays pin-style medal awards. Unlike all prior artwork,this unit does not display pin-style medals by taking advantage of theirpin feature. The vast majority of pin-style award medals given outduring events, meets, and other such competitions are presented to theirrecipients inside plastic cases that measure 2⅝″×3⅝″. The presentinvention provides a way to display pin-style award medals while theyare still inside these plastic cases. The present invention accomplishesthis through the use of designed recessions, Cavities and/or hoovesbuilt onto or into the rack in which the bottom portion of the pin-stylemedal case can he snuggly placed into, thus allowing an effortlesssecuring of the eased medal in an upright position for optimal viewingcapabilities.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to display multiple award medalsof both the lanyard ribbon-style and pin-style fashion through the useof a peg system for the suspension of ribbon-style lanyard medals andthe use of rescissions, grooves, or cavities for the upright holding of2⅝″×3⅝″ pin-style award medal eases for the display of pin-style awardmedals.

It is another object of the present invention that the top piece, whichis home to the recessions, cavities, and/or grooves, to double as ashelf for the placement of additional items, such as trophies orplaques.

It is yet another object of the present invention to allow for apractical and effortless way for the owner to reorganize, add and/orremove award medals as he wishes to display them.

Another objective of the present invention is to offer into the market amuch needed medal award display unit that has the capacity to serve asan all-in-one, wall-mountable, award medal display rack.

It is an additional objective of the present invention to allow thedecorative ribbon, on lanyard medals suspended from pegs, to remaincompletely visible for display.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART

It has been a long-standing tradition to reward athletes, marksman,dancers, scholars, etc . . . with award medals recognizing theirachievements of corresponding excellence. These medals are most commonlypresented in the form of ribbon-style lanyard award medals and pin-styleaward medals. It is not uncommon for a devoted athlete, or the like, toaccumulate a large number of both kinds of these awards during theirlifetime of participation in a given activity. Like, as with any otheraward, it is only natural that the recipient would seek the ability toproudly display such accolades. However, the available alternatives fordisplaying these award medals are inadequate and often unnecessarilymechanically complicated. Many are not designed to hold more than a fewawards, none of which are designed to hold both ribbon style and pinstyle award medals, and the vast majority require unnecessarilycomplicated procedures in order to attach, affix, or display themedal(s) eliminating effortless reorganization or replacement of theseawards.

For example:

-   -   U.S. Pat. No. 6,328,171 to Coppel (2001) is capable of        displaying multiple lanyard medals but only lanyard-style ribbon        medals. In order to secure the award the invention uses a hook        and clip apparatus, which secures the ribbon to the back of the        unit alter insertion of the ribbon through a slot on the front        of a triangular display board. Here, not only is Coppel's        invention limited to the use of only ribbon-style award medals        but it also requires a mechanical procedure and the use of a        securing apparatus for the display of awards, consequently,        eliminating a simple and effortless reorganization of the        awards. Additionally, Coppel's invention conceals one's ribbons        allowing only the medal part of the award to remain visible for        display.    -   U.S. Pat. No. 6,793,297 to Johnson (2004) utilizes a means for        attachment and display of multiple ribbon-style lanyard medals        similar to the ribbon pull through style of Coppel's. The main        difference between the two is that Johnson's display is a framed        showcase. Likewise to Coppel's invention, Johnson's framed        showcase does not allow for an effortless reorganization of        medals. Johnson's framed design requires the owner to dismantle        the front viewing plane in order to insert or move medals.        Johnson's invention also does not support the display of        pin-style medals.    -   U.S. Pat. No. 7,987,988 to Carter (2011) is solely for the        display of ribbon-style lanyard medals inside a clear cube-like        enclosure. The unit allows for the display of several ribbon        medals, which would be wound up and bound by a reel that is        affixed on top of the unit. This reel winds and wraps the        ribbons allowing for the suspension of the medals inside the        cube-like enclosure for viewing. Carter's invention        significantly differs from our proposed invention since it        employs an entirely different technique to hang ribbon medals,        does not support the display of pin-style medals. is an enclosed        cube display, is not wall mountable, and does not double as a        shelf for additional achievements such as plaques or trophies.    -   U.S. Pat. No. 6,817,129 to Purdy (2004)—Purdy's invention is a        kit, which assembles into a display unit for a single ribbon        style medal. This invention is in the form of a plaque, which        could either be hung on a wall or stand upright by means of a        supporting arm, similar to that of a picture frame. The front of        Purdy's display plaque has a felt pad with a circular cavity cut        into it which supports the award medal. The entire back and all        sides of the medal fit firmly into this cavity supporting the        medal for view from the front. With the exception of a minor        portion, the majority of the ribbon is pulled over the top and        secured behind the plaque, out of view. Once fully assembled the        medal is firmly secured in place and enclosed inside the plaque        by a front transparent plane that is screwed into place. Like        abovementioned prior art, this mechanical assembly disallows the        simple and effortless reorganization of medals, the display of        pin-style medal awards, and the capacity for a practical means        for displaying a large quantity of awards.    -   U.S. Pat. No. Des 426,999 and Des 405,634 to Smith (1999 and        2000)—The functionality for displaying ribbon-style medal awards        utilized by Smith's designs in both these inventions is similar        to that as employed in our proposed invention. They are similar        in the fact that both allow the simple hanging of multiple        ribbon-style medal awards by manually placing and hanging the        ribbon over an object. Additionally, likewise to our present        invention, Smith's award medal holder doubles as a shelf for        additional achievements. However, these facets are the extent of        the similarity between our inventions. A key feature and        material distinction absent from Smith's inventions, rather than        our present invention, is the ability to display pin-style award        medals.    -   U.S. Pat. No. 4,905,821 to Corbett (1990) is a patent for a        jewelry display device, which does not support the display of        ribbon-style lanyard medals. Corbett's invention displays        jewelry such as earrings and ornamental pins in a fashion to        that which is currently available for displaying pin-style award        medals. Corbett's invention permits the pinning of medals into,        and through, a mesh fabric; pins found on the hack of the mesh        then secure the Medals in place. Our invention employs a novel        means for the display of pin-style award medals and therefore        does not utilize a system such as this for display of pin-style        medal awards. Similar mesh/fabric designs to secure pin-style        award medals for display are adopted in U.S. Pat. No. 5,118,171        to Ortiz (1992) and U.S. Pat. No. 4,831,754 to Tallent (1989).        None of which support the display of ribbon-style lanyard        medals.

The present invention incorporates purposes of prior artwork but expandsupon them and employs novel means to display pin-style awards. Thepresent invention is the only all-in-one medal display unit, whichsupports the display of a large quantity of both types of award medals,ribbon-style lanyard medals and pin-style medals, while allowing asimple and practical means to support, display, and effortlesslyreorganize these awards.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure “A” is a fragmentary frontal side view of the invention's topshelf board and backboard, depicting the unit's disposition of variouscomponents and features.

Figure “B” is a bottom view of the invention's backboard and it'ssuspension pegs along with the underneath of the top shelf board.

Figure “C” is a perspective rear view of the invention's backboard andtop shelf.

Figure “D” is a perspective top view of one embodiment of theinvention's top shelf piece including one embodiment of the invention'sunique groove feature.

Figure “F” is a pulled-out perspective front view, depicting anembodiment of the invention and its components.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention allows for the display of multiple honorary medalsas well as other awards. The invention is the first of its kind to beuniquely tailored to specifically fit multiple, universally designed,2⅝″×3⅝″ pin-style award medal cases for easy display. The invention isthe first of its kind to also accommodate multiple ribbon style awards,and double as a shelf for additional achievements. The present inventionutilizes a shelf, peg, and groove design, which functions to display,organize, and hold, both lanyard ribbon-style and pin-style award medalsas well as trophies, plaques and other achievements. This presentinvention is wall mounted, multi-functional, and holds a plurality ofhonorary awards. The present invention truly is an all-in-one, multipleaward medal display rack that allows a practical and effortless means todisplay and accommodate just about any award an accomplished individualmay receive.

The accompanying figures and description depict only a single way inthat this invention can be assembled, as a means to provide a clearexample and understanding of the invention's functionality. The whole orin part components and materials may be joined or built from a unitarymold or piece, by hand, machine, or similar process.

The top shelf hoard of the rack comprises a flat surface with twoparallel horizontal grooves running the length of the rack, as depictedin Figures D and A-1. This new and uniquely designed, custom tilting,groove/recession, Figures D-2 and A-3, allows for universal sizepin-style medal award cases to slide firmly into place. The award medalcases are secured upright for display by means of side and bottomsupport. The inner walls of the groove, shown in figure A-2, create theample pressure necessary against the award medal's casing to firmlysecure them in place. These longitudinal recessions or grooves run up tothe full length of the top shelf hoard and allow for the simplesuccessive placement of pin-style award medal cases for display.

The top shelf board, Figure A-1 and C-2 can also be used for display asa shelf for trophies, plaques, and other achievements. Figure A-1, thetop piece, creates a 90-degree angle with the backboard, Figure A-4 andC-1. The shelf protrudes several inches from the wall and accommodatesthe base size of many trophies.

The back groove, shown in Figures A-5 and Figure C-2, also provides agreat way to effortlessly display plaques without having to hang themfrom the wall. The hack groove allows small to medium sized plaques tobutt-up between the groove and the wall. Thus allowing the plaques tostand nearly upright against the wall and effectively achieving aneffortless and simple means for their display.

The top shelf piece, Figure C-2, can be affixed to backboard, FigureC-1, by means of screws, nails, glue, or like substitution.Alternatively, the top shelf board and backboard can be built or moldedas a unitary piece; therefore, eliminating the need for affixation toone another.

The backboard of the unit is, but does not have to be, equal in size tothe top board. Figure C depicts the backboard affixed underneath the topboard. The backboard, as presented in figure A-4, B-1, and E, isdesigned as a base plate to accommodate the unit's staggered peg system,which functions as means to effortlessly display and suspend lanyardribbon-style award medals.

Figures A, B, and E depict the invention's peg system. Affixed to thebackboard there can be a row, or multiple rows, of pegs. These rows mayor may not be staggered and or run parallel from one another, thestaggered peg system, underneath the shelf and groove, is designed tohorizontally hang or suspend ribbon-style lanyard medals for display.This trouble-free design makes it practically effortless to reorganize,remove, and replace your medals. The pegs protrude at least 1½ inchesfrom the backboard of the unit, but the distance from the backboard canbe variable. The peg system is evenly spaced for peg placements on thebackboard, as shown in Figure B. In the attached drawings, Figure Ashows a possible spatial placement and alignment of the first row ofpegs in relation to the top of the unit and from one another. After thedesired spacing is determined the pegs are secured into the backboard.This is accomplished by using a drill press and glue, or like tool andaffixation method.

Depending on the desired display, more cased medals or lanyard medalscan he accommodated to fit. The present invention is currently availablein 1′, 2′, 3′, and 4′ variations. The foregoing description enables oneof ordinary skill to make and use our present invention, in what isconsidered presently the best mode thereof. While all variouscombinations of materials, dimensions, and arrangements of the presentinvention's features are not exemplified, it is natural that those ofordinary skill in the art will understand and he familiar with theunderlying concept and appreciate that the invention may be practicedotherwise than as specifically stated without departing from the spiritof the scope of the invention.

We claim:
 1. A novel all-in-one, wall-mountable medal display rack forthe effortless displaying, holding, and organization of multiple awardmedals of both the lanyard ribbon-style and the pin-style design,comprising: a back viewing board with protruding pegs for the suspensionof lanyard-style ribbon medals; a top shelf board utilizing uniquerecessions, cavities, and/or grooves specifically designed for: 1) theplacement, anchoring, upright standing, and viewing of cased pin-stylemedal awards; and 2) the use as a shelf for additional achievements oritems, such as, but not limited to, trophies and plaques.
 2. Theuniquely designed top shelf board in claim I, employs at least one, butpossibly more, recessions, cavities, and/or grooves to support pin-stylemedal award cases, which measure 2⅝″×3⅝″, by the specific spatialplacement of the recessions' walls, which consequently create amplepressure against the walls of the pin-style award medal casing to holdpin-style award medal cases in the upright forward-facing position.